Dubai’s residential property sector is undergoing a transformation as more tenants shift from renting to homeownership. Property transactions in August reached AED 42.4 billion, according to Engel & Völkers Middle East.
The firm highlighted a 22 per cent rise in secondary market sales during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting increased confidence among residents who now see Dubai as a long-term base.
This trend is being fuelled by families and young professionals aiming to build equity, achieve financial stability, and offset the impact of escalating rental prices.
Dubai’s secondary market sales jumped 22% as tenants moved towards homeownership. “For many, buying a property is no longer just aspirational—it has become the preferred route to long-term security and value creation,” said Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Völkers Middle East.
In August alone, Dubai registered 17,879 property deals worth AED 42.4 billion, marking a 17 per cent increase in transaction volume and a 12 per cent rise in value year-on-year.
Off-plan properties continued to dominate, up 25 per cent year-on-year and accounting for nearly three-quarters of all sales. Secondary market activity also remained strong, supported by robust end-user demand.
Family homes saw the sharpest growth, with sales of four-bedroom units rising 70 per cent, while properties with five bedrooms or more surged 63 per cent compared to the previous year.
